XSL-FO vs. CSS for Paginated Documents: When Should You Choose CSS Over XSL-FO?

Use of XSL-FO and CSS3 Over CSS2 for Paginated Documents

In the world of document creation, there has been a long-standing debate over the use of XSL-FO (XSL Formatting Objects) versus CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) for generating paginated documents such as PDFs. XSL-FO has traditionally been the preferred choice for print publishing, while CSS has been primarily used for web pages.

However, in recent years, CSS has evolved significantly, introducing new features and capabilities that have made it a viable option for print media as well. As a result, many experts now believe that CSS3 and CSS2 have the "power of print" and can rival XSL-FO's capabilities.

When to Choose CSS Over XSL-FO

One of the key advantages of CSS over XSL-FO is its simplicity. CSS is generally easier to learn and implement than XSL-FO, which can be a complex technology to master. Additionally, CSS benefits from being widely supported by web browsers and rendering engines, making it a more future-proof choice.

Emerging Dominance of CSS3-Page

The development of CSS3-page, a W3C standard, has further solidified the position of CSS as a dominant force in paginated document creation. CSS3-page provides a comprehensive set of features for controlling the pagination, layout, and presentation of print documents.

Other Factors to Consider

Beyond technical considerations, there are other factors to consider when choosing between CSS and XSL-FO. For example, CSS is closely related to HTML and XML, making it easier to work with web content. Additionally, CSS has a larger community of developers and resources, which can be valuable for support and troubleshooting.

Conclusion

In today's digital landscape, CSS with paged media capabilities, such as CSS3-page, has emerged as a viable and powerful alternative to XSL-FO for creating paginated documents. Its simplicity, widespread support, and strong integration with web technologies make it an ideal choice for both web and print publishing.

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